Seal.



R. H. JONES.

SEAL.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1915.

1,172,530. Patented Feb. 22,1916.

WITNESSES RAYMOND H. Jones, on MARYSVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

SEAL.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

Application filed March 8, 1915. Serial No. 12,999.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RAYMOND H. Jones. a citizen of the United States, residing at Marysville, in the county of Yuba and State I of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seals, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in seals and it has for its object primarily to i provide a device of this character which will meet all the requirements and which will obviate the objections incident to the use of such seals as have been heretofore proposed or used, the present invention being an improvement upon that disclosed and claimed in my prior Patent No. 1,0875020 granted February 10, 1914.

It is of importance to'those who depend upon seals for records of various kinds to know with certainty that the records of the seals are reliable or beyond question as such knowledge couldthen be relied upon in pre ords of the seal show it to be intact.

The objects of the invention are there fore, to provide a seal which the initial record will show has not been tampered with before it has been applied and that the seal has been looked upon the object to be secured. and one which the subsequent records will show that it has not been tampered with and remains intact.

These objects are accomplished by providing a combined locking and securing device which is so inclosed within a case that it cannot be tampered with, thereby dispensing with the use of a separate piece adapted to be inserted into the case which piece could be tampered with before it is set in position; by providing the locking strip with such identification marks as may be necessary to record on both the locking arm and the actuating arm of the strip,

such identification marks being invisible; and the securing-portion 4 thereon to slide until the seal is locked; and by having the ends of the locked part as well as the part which looks it in full view and locating the identification marks in such relation to the case as to insure inspection thereof at the times the records are taken. In this way tampering with or counterfeiting of the seal are rendered impossible without detection and the taking of the record from the seal gives assurance of its proper application and condition.

A seal embodying the present invention and possessing the advantages above set forth is shown. in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar parts are designated by the same reference characters.

In the accompanying. drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the improved seal in position to act as a car seal; Fig. 2 is a detail view in section showing the seal in unlocked position; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2- showing the device in lockedposition; Figsfl and 5 are perspective views showing the means for locking the seal, these views showing the same in locked and unlocked condition respectively; and Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of the casing showing a different arrangement of the identification characters.

While the preferred construction is shown in the accompanying drawing and will be hereinafter described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to the precise construction shown as equivalent constructions within the scope of the annexed claims are contemplated and will be included. i

In the present instance the device comprises a strip 1 which is composed of flexible or bendable material and is desired to seal. This strip. is provided at one end with .an aperture 2 to receive the securing means and its opposite end is preferably widened to form a locking portion 3 and a securing portion 4 the latter-being adapted to enter the aperture 2 in the opposite end of the strip and thereby secure the same to the part which it is desired to seal. .5 represents acasing which is preferably substantially flat in form and 1t may be conveniently formed of sheet metal doubled or folded upon itself.

"One end of the casing 5 is preferably of just suflioientwidth to permit the strip 1.

lot

therein, the body portion of the strip 1 and the securing portion 4 thereof being preferably spaced apart as shown, and when the strip and its securing portion are within the casing, a connecting portion 6, preferably soldered to the casing, lies between the body portion of the strip and the securing portion 4 and closes the portion ofthe casing not occupied by the strip. While this connecting portion 6 closes the respective end of the casing, thus preventing insertion of an implement into the casing for the purpose of tampering therewith, it also prevents spreading apart of the walls of the case to allow the securing arm l to be bent around and possibly twisted back and thus permit freeing of the shackle. The opposite end of the casing is widened and contains means to coiiperate with the locking portion 3 of the strip. In the present instance a sleeve 7 is tightly fitted into the rear or widened portion of the casing 5, this sleeve being areshaped and having an opening 8 of just sufficient width and thickness to receive the locking portion 3 of the strip. In assembling the parts, sleeve 7 and strip 1 are arranged within casing 5 previous to the forming or closing of same. Obviously the rear or widened portion of the casing itself could be shaped to provide this arc-shaped portion instead of forming the same as a piece separate from the casing. The casing adjacent to this arc-shaped portion. is narrowed or flattened and the widened end of the casing is closed by a head or cover 9. The narrowed end of the casing has a slot 10 eXtend ing in from one side to receive that end of the strip 1 which is provided with the aperture 2 and the casing is provided at a point beyond the slot 10 with a sight opening 11. The main or bodyportion of the strip 1 is provided with identification means, a serial number being shown in the present instance, and the securing portion 1 of the strip is also provided with identification means, a number being shown thereon in the present instance. The identification. members or marks on the main and securing portions of the strip are so located that when the strip is within the casing and in unlocked. condition, such identification members or marks, or a portion thereof, will be invisible. At this time the locking portion 3 of the strip will lie in the arc-shaped opening 8 of the member 7, the locking portion 3 of the strip being caused to assume a corresponding arc-shaped form owing to the yielding or resilient properties possessed by the strip. To apply the seal, the end of the strip having the aperture 2 therein is properly passed. through the part to be sealed and such apertured end of the strip is then brought into the slot 10 of the casing in alinement with the securing portion 4: of the strip. The main portion of the strip is then pulled. outwardly from the casing whereby the securing portion 1 is caused to pass through the aperture 2 in the strip thereby securing the latter upon the object which is to be sealed. As the strip is withdrawn from the casing, the part 3 of the strip is withdrawn from the arc-shaped opening 8, the inherent resiliency of this portion of the strip causing it to resume or approach a. flat form and the member 7 which is of arc-shape will then form an abutment which will prevent the return of the strip within the casing and consequent unfastening thereof. To facilitate pulling of the strip out of the casing, the lower leg of the strip may be waved or corrugated at a point immediately following the identification marks thereon. The inherent resiliency of the strip, however, is not depended on to lock it relatively to the member 7 as the casing 5 adjacent to the member 7 is substantially fiat and narrow and consequently it will operate to compel the portion 3 of the strip to assume a flat form as the strip is moved farther forward for the purpose of disclosing the identification marks, after the strip has passer the locking point. The identification marks or numerals are not visible until the strip has been withdrawn from the casing sufficiently to lock the apertured end of the strip and the strip moved a slight distance beyond and through thenarrowed portion of the casing, but held from withdrawal beyond the point where the identification marks are visible, so. that no portion of the part 3 can be tampered with, and as the members 1 and 4 are :in full view when the seal is locked assurance is given that the seal has not been tampered with beforebeing applied and also assurance is given that at the time the record is taken the seal has been looked upon the object to be secured. Furthermore, in inspecting the seal. to obtain further records thereof, assurance is had that the seal has not been tampered with and that it remains intact.

A portion of the slot 10 is closed by the piece 10 which is soldered to the casing and adapted to serve as an abutment for the strip when the latter is pulledforward or out of the case, whereby the strip is allowed to be pulled forward a distance onlv sufii cient to fully expose the identification marks on the lower arm. eXteriorlyof the case. these identification marks being necessarily in this position when the record of the seal is taken. This feature prevents anyone from gaining access to, and tampering with, the rear portion of the strip, and it also avoids the possibility of cutting both arms of the strip and tucking them into a position out of sight. Before application of the seal to the object to be secured accidental locking thereof is pre-' vented owing to the frictional engagement of the portion 3 of the strip with the arcshaped member 7 although permitting the strip to be easily moved into locked position when such is intended. While the marks or characters on the main and securing portions of the strip serveto identify the seal, the marks or characters on the securing portion or arm. of the strip also serve the additional function of disclosing whether the seal has been tampered with. For example, where the numerals on the securing arm of the strip are directly above the numerals on the main portion of the strip, as appears in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, both terminal members showing just outside of the casing when the strip is locked, the securing portion of the strip will show through the sight opening 11 in the casing and would give evidence of having been cut or bent or otherwise tampered with. Instead of arranging the numerals on the securing portion a of the strip directly above the terminal numerals on the main portion of the strip, such numerals may be arranged as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, wherein the terminal number on the securing portion 4 of the strip will show through the aperture 11 in the casing when the seal is locked and any attempt at tampering with the securing arm would be revealed by shifting such member out of position or it would reveal evidences of such an attempt. Also the terminal number on the securing arm 4 of the securing strip may be covered by the casing when the seal is looked as appears in Fig. '7, the terminal number on the main portion of the strip being then fully revealed and in this instance the sight opening 11 in the casing adjoins the inner edge of the slot 10 in such a position that when the strip is moved back into the casing as far as it will go, the terminal number on the securing arm will show through this sight opening 11 as appears in Fig. 6. As such backward movement of the strip covers up the terminal number on the main portion of the strip as well as the number next to the terminal number on the securing arm of the strip, it allows of the complete length of the securing arm being seen each time a record is taken. In any event the identification mark or numher on one portion of the strip is useful as a check upon the identification mark or number on the other portion of the strip and can be used for record purposes either separately or in conjunction with one another; that is to say, the number on the securing portion of the strip may be used in conjunction with and as a part of the number on the main portion of the strip or the number on the securing portion of the strip may be used to provide special. data.

Having'thus described my invention what I claim as new is:

1. In a seal, the combination of a casing, a member adapted to cooperate with the part to be sealed, having at one end a por tion operative by-withdrawing movement of said member relatively to the casing to se cure the opposite end thereof to the casing, and means within the casing operative upon such withdrawing movement of said memher for locking such portion in securing position.

2. In a seal, the combination of a casing and a member adaptedto'cooperate with the part to be sealed having at one end a securing portion and an actuating portion therefor, said portions both extending longitudinally of said member and operative in the casing.

3. In a seal, the combination of a casing, a strip adapted to be applied to the part to be sealed and having at one end a securing portion and an actuating portion therefor arranged at one side thereof, and locking means in the casing for. retainingsaid portions in securing position. v

4. In a seal, the combination of a casing, a strip adapted to be applied to the part to be sealed and having at one end a securing portion and an actuating portion therefor,

and means in the casing for frictionally holding said portions in non-securing position and for locking the same inv securing position. 1

5. In a seal, the combination of a casing, a member adapted to cooperate with the part to be sealed having at one end a securing portion and an actuating portion there for, said portions being operative in the casing, and identification characters on the securing and actuating portions and partially or wholly concealed within the casing when said portions are in non-securing position.

6. In a seal, the combination of a casing, a member adapted to cotiperate with the part to be sealed having at one end a securing portion and an actuating portion therefor, said portions being operative in the casing, identification characters on the securing and actuating portions and partially or Wholly concealed within the casing when said portions are in non-securing position, and locking means in the casing operative automatically to retain said portions in securing position.

7. In a seal, the combination of a casing containing locking means, a member adapted to cooperate with the part to be sealed having at one end a securing portion and also a locking portion cooperative with the locking means in the casing and rendered operative by inherent action of said locking portion when the same is partially with drawn from the casin 8. In a seal, the combination of a casing,

and astrip adapted to be applied to the part to be sealed the casing having means for bending a portion of the strip into a curved form when in non-secured position, the strip ha ing an inherent action to alter its form when disengaged from said bending means by a partial Withdrawal of the strip from the casing.

9. In a seal, the combination of a casing and a strip adapted to be applied tothe part to be sealed having a normally flat locking portion and a securing portion connected thereto the casing containing means to cooperate With said locking portion to bend the same and to frictionally engage it, the locking portion of the strip having a normal tendency to flatten when Withdrawn from said bending means by a partial withdrawal of the strip from the casing.

10. In a seal, the combination of a casing having a sight opening therein, and a strip adapted to be applied to the part to be sealed and having a securing portion and an actuating portion therefor slidable in the casing, said securing and actuating portions 25 bearing individually identification characters and such portions being movable in unison in the casing to expose the terminal identification number on the securing por tion When the latter is in locked position.

11. In a seal, the combination of a casing having a sight opening in one side thereof and a strip adapted to be applied to the part to be sealed and having a securing portion and an actuating portion therefor said portions being slidable in the casing, and identification characters on and individual to said securing and actuating portions, said portions being movable in unison in the casing when the securing portion is in locked Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,-by addressing the Commissioner of Yatents, Washington, D. C. 

